An official website of the European Union. See all European Institutions

Human Rights & Democracy

Current language: en
 

Human Rights & Democracy

Teaser Video HR70

EU launches campaign to celebrate

70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

 

70 years - Universal Declaration of Human rights

The promotion and protection of human rights is at the heart of multilateralism, a central pillar of the UN system, and a core and founding value of the EU.

This year we mark the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and join UN Human Rights in inviting everyone to

 

#Standup4humanrights.

 

The Universal Declaration is the cornerstone of international human rights law and its first article captures its very essence:

"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights".

Human rights should be universal, indivisible and interdependent.

While the international human rights system has come under increasing pressure, it still continues to show great resilience to withstand challenges.

Human Rights Defenders all over the world embody that resilience. These are some of their stories.

The EU stands up and continues to relentlessly support human rights defenders, to speak out against the shrinking civil society space, and to use political and financial action to support them.

They stood up, will you?

All Videos HR70

The European Union views all human rights as universal, indivisible and interdependent. It actively promotes and defends them both within its borders and when engaging in relations with non-EU countries.

Read more

News stories
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, victims of torture, chained feet

EU and partners work together for a torture-free world for all

"Torture is a crime that can target anyone through different forms and in different settings, and all victims of torture, including those who are unacknowledged, neglected or overlooked, are at the forefront of our policy," High Representative Federica Mogherini claimed on behalf of the EU, on the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, reiterating its strongest opposition to any kind of acts of torture worldwide.

Wednesday, 26 June, 2019 - 16:04
Tags:
Published on:
News stories
Sexual Violence ©2018 European Union (photo by Anouk Delafortrie)

EU-UN work jointly to end impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence in conflict

“In parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it is the first time in history that trials have been held in open court.... For the first time, the people in these areas saw offenders considered as untouchable punished by the law. This has led to renewed confidence and a sense of security for the population,” says Mr Muntazini, a prosecutor for the Special Penal Court in the Central African Republic, expressing his gratitude for the EU-UN project that has helped the authorities in enforcing the rule of law and respect for human rights.

Wednesday, 19 June, 2019 - 15:38
Tags:
Published on:
News stories
eu global strategy

From Vision to Action: The EU Global Strategy in Practice - Three years on, looking forward

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini has presented the third progress report on the implementation of the European Union Global Strategy, “The EU Global Strategy in Practice - Three years on, looking forward”, which will be discussed by the EU Foreign and Defence Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 17 June 2019 in Luxembourg. The report looks at the progress achieved over the past three years, since the presentation of the Global Strategy in June 2016, in five priority areas - the security of the Union, state and social resilience to our east and south, an integrated approach to conflicts and crises, cooperative regional orders and global governance for the 21st century - and provides possible orientations for the way forward in the coming years.

Friday, 14 June, 2019 - 08:45
Published on:
News stories
rainbow flag, International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

"No person should be punished for loving someone," Mogherini says

Across the globe, cultural, traditional or religious values continue to be used to justify persecution, discrimination, bullying and ill-treatment against LGBTI persons. Even in countries with legal protection, stigmatisation due to homophobia, transphobia and biphobia remains high. It is our duty to combat this, notably through our policies, concrete actions and communication, which should be inclusive, respectful and leaving no one behind.

Friday, 17 May, 2019 - 17:07
Tags:
Published on:
News stories
human rights

Human rights and democracy in the world: EU annual report 2018 adopted

At a time when human rights are challenged on a daily basis with many attempts to undermine the universality and indivisibility of human rights, the EU has remained at the forefront of the protection and promotion of human rights and democracy, be it in international forums, bilaterally with governments or through concrete support to the civil society.

Monday, 13 May, 2019 - 16:22
Tags:
Published on: